Colonial Wedding Music (As referenced in Swedish Colonial News, Volume 4. Number 4; Summer 2011)

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Prelude; Paul Fejko, Organist

Emily S. Tepe, soprano with organ

Processional, Barudsmarsch Fran Dalarna, Alicia Bjornsdotter Abrams, Fiddle

We’ve Traveled Through Time, (Composer Anthony M. Rubio)Tom Baust, tenor with organ Allt Vad Du Vill, Emily S. Tepe with Alicia Bjornsdotter Abrams, Viola Dismissal, The Rev. Joy Segal

and Recessional, Brollopsmarsj Fra Gudbrandsdalen, Alicia Bjornsdotter Abrams, Fiddle

The Swedish Colonial Society and the Gloria Dei Church Historic Preservation Trust have co-operated in publishing a small hardcover book, The Rudman Hymnals 1700. This new book contains the original Swedish words as written by Rudman, now in modern spelling and the 17th Century melodies that would have been used with them.

A special feature of the book are new musical compositions by virtuoso musician at Gloria Dei, Paul Fejko for each of the hymns, making them resound with the harmonies of the 21st Century.  And, of course the English translations are provided so that the hymns can be sung in English to either new or old tunes.

The two hymnals that Pastor Andreas Rudman published at Philadelphia in 1700 are the first Swedish imprints in America and were no doubt the first authored hymnals published in any language in America. A description of them was published in the Fall, 2019 issue of the Swedish Colonial Society Journal (Volume 5, no.11) and in the July, 2018 issue of The Swedish-American Historical Quarterly (Volume 69, No.3).

This richly illustrated volume may be ordered for $20 @ at the website of Gloria Dei Church, Old-Swedes.org or at the American Swedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia.

—Kim-Eric Williams